Electrical whistle-controlling device



(Nb Model.)

A. E. OOLGATE. ELECTRICAL WHISTLE CONTROLLING DEVICE. No. 553,900.

Patented-Feb. 4, 1896.

El TL! 57 l-LI NiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR E. COLGATE, OF NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE-T. SCITOEFFEL,

OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

' ELECTRICAL WHISTLE-CONTROLLING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 1\lo. 553,900, datedFebruary 4, 1896.

Application filed November 24, 1894. Serial No. 529,790. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR E. COLGATE, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of New York, county of New York, and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Whistle-Controlling Devices, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to apparatus for sounding whistles. The object ofthe invention is to provide improved means for sounding whistlesautomatically at predetermined intervals and for continuouslymaintaining the system in condition to be operated manually at will. Thetime or regulated circuit maker and breaker of the automatic apparatusis driven by a simple electric or an electrically-controlled motor, thecircuit of which, as well as the circuit of the whistle-magnet, iscontrolled by an improved relay or electrically-operated circuit makerand breaker, as herein after described.

In the drawings, Figure l is a general view, partly diagrammatic,illustrating the improvement. Fig. 2 is a side view, partly in section,of the magnet-case and its support.

The apparatus to be described is supposed to be on a boat (not shown)which is provided with one or more dynamos, or other electric generatorsD and an electric-lighting, motor or other circuit E extendingtherefrom.

The apparatus illustrated consists mainly of the whistle 1, magnets 2,and a valve o adapted to be opened by said magnet; an automaticcircuit-maker at, which may consist of a tappet 5 on, but insulated fromshaft 6 of a worm-wheel, which is in gear with the worm 7, forming anextension of the armature-shaft'of an electric motor 8, connected tocircuit E, the circuit extending from the motor to the standard 9 of theelectricallyoperated circuit-maker. The upper end of the standardcarries a contact-screw 10. The other standard 11 supports the pivot ofthe angle-lever 12, which carries a second anglelever 13 pivoted to thefree end of the horizontal arm or lever 12 at 14:. This lever carriesthe armature, and its downward movement is limited by hook 15. One armof the lever 13 is adapted to engage with the hook raise lever 12.

16 when said lever is raised to the position indicated in dotted linesby the spring 17, the parts being normally in engagement, therebyholding lever 12 away from screw and the motor and automaticwhistle-circuit open at that point.

It will be seen that the armature-lever is in two parts 12 13, and theseare adjusted so that 13 moves more easily than 12.

18 is a spring connected to lever 12 and tending to raise it againstscrew 10.

19 is a dash-pot to retard or regulate the movement of lever 12.

20 is a magnet, preferably having a large core and a short winding so asto work at a point considerably below saturation of the core.

From the motor and the electrically-operated circuit-maker circuitconnections extend to a distant point, as the bridge of the boatcarrying the whistle and apparatus, where are located a circuit-closer21, preferably adapted to be carried in the hand, called the at-willcloser and also a circuit-closing key 22 in multiple arc with 21, buthaving in circuit' therewith a resistance R, called the starting-key. Aresistance R is used to avoid short-circuiting magnet 20 when theautomatic closer is in position to close the circuit.

XVhen it is desired to sound the whistle at intervals by the automaticdevice 4, the key 22 is closed, sending a current, reduced by resistance R, through magnets 20 and 2, as

shown by the non-feathered arrows, the circuit being as follows: fromthe main E to magnet 20, thence to circuit-closer 22, through resistanceR to and through magnet 2 and to the main. The parts are so adjustedthat this current is sufficient to energize magnet 20 sufliciently tomove lever 13 from its dotted to its full line position, Fig. 1, inwhich the apparatus is supposed to be in the process of starting, 22having been closed and 13 attracted, but spring 18 has not yet acted toThe current through magnet 20 caused by closing key 22 is notsufficiently strong to hold down the horizontal arm of lever 12 againstthe pull of spring 18. Therefore 12 rises and makes contact with screw10,

closing the circuit through the motor, causing it to start to rotate theautomatic circuit maker and breaker, which at each revolution causes thewhistle to sound. This circuit (shown by feathered arrows) does notinclude the magnet 20, but is as follows: from the main to lever 12,screw 10, standard 0, motor 8 to the main. A branch from this circuitextends to the right-hand spring of circuit-maker 4c, thence to the leftspring, when wiper 5 connects the springs to and through magnet 2, andto the main E.

It is frequently desirable in cases of emer gency to stop the automaticsounding of the whistle and to make a special or at-will signal, and itis important that this should be possible without a moments delay. ThisI can do at all times by means of the circuitcloser 21, which instantlystops and throws out of use the automatic circuit-maker and its motor,and also sounds the whistle to give the first blast of the at-willsignal, after which other blasts can be sounded, as desired, by simplypressing and releasing button 21. Although magnet 20 is included in thecircuit with the stopping and at-will closer 21, the effect is not toclose circuit at 10, as when starting-closer 22 is operated, since lever12 is drawn down by the strong current in magnet 20, the hook 1G iscarried below 16 and during the return movement these hooks engage andprevent lever 12 making contact with screw 10. hen the circuit is closedthrough magnet 20, it does not include the resistance R, but otherwisethe circuit is traced by the non-feathered arrows. The current istherefore strong enough to draw 13 first to its full-line position andthen to draw 12 away from screw 10, opening the motor andautoiiiaticqvliistle circuits.

The whistle-magnet 2 operates a valve-stem and indirectly opens the mainwhistlevalve in a manner well understood and which need not be shown indetail. The magnets are in a tightlyclosed metal box or case a; but itis found that moisture sometimes collects therein from condensation, andin case of poor insulation of the magnet or circuit wires this connectssaid wires to the case, thence to the whistle pipe or support, and toearth. To obviate this I insulate the box, for example, by a rubber,slate, or other insulating-plate 0 between the box and the bracket bwhich forms the support.

cl is a hood extending down from the box, and e is insulating material,as paraifine,

partly fitting the hood, and preventing moi sture from connecting thebox and bracket.

With the box insulated if moisture collects therein it cannot ground thecircuit, but will at most cause a short circuit and burn out a fuse.

I claim- 1. The combination of a whistle, a whistleoperating magnet andcircuit, an automatic circuit-maker for sounding the whistle atintervals, and means always in condition to act connected to the circuitforboth throwing the automatic circuit-maker out of use (when in use)and for sounding the whistle at will.

2. The combination of a whistle, an operatin g magnet and circuit, anautomatic circuitmaker, an electric motor for operating it, astarting-circuit controller at a distance therefrom, and a separatestopping-circuit controller, the latter being an at-will operatingdevice for the whistle.

3. The combination of a-whistle, an operating magnet and circuit, anautomatic circuitmaker, with means for driving it, a switch forrendering the automatic circuit-maker operative to sound the whistle andfor throwing it out of condition to act on the whistle, a mag net formoving the switch in one direction, and a locking device for the switchoperated by the same magnet.

1. The combination of a whistle, an operating magnet and circuit, anautomatic circuitmaker, a motor for operating it, and a switch with anoperating-magnet controlled from a distance for starting and stoppingthe motor, said switch having a part supported so as to be moved by acomparatively weak current for starting the motor, and a less-easilymoved part for stopping it.

5. The combination, in an electrically-operated switch, of a magnet, anarmature in two parts, the first part having a catch adapted to engage afixed hook to hold the second part in its retracted position, said firstpart requiring only a comparatively weak attraction to move it todisengage the catch, the second part of the armature forming or carryinga circuit-terminal, and requiring a stronger attraction to move it, anda contact in co-opcr-' ating relation with said terminal.

Signed this 23d day of November, 189 i.

ARTHUR E. COLGATE.

Witnesses:

UHARLEs M. CATLIN, t H. SToeKBnIDeE.

